Phumeza Tisile, 23 years celebrates her cure from XDR-TB with friends and patients at Lizo Nobanda TB Care Centre, Khayelitsha, South Africa on August 16, 2013.

MSF Careers

Some field workers commit to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) for a single mission only, but many enjoy the flexibility of being able to undertake missions during different periods in their careers as personal circumstances permit. Others may determine that working with MSF is a way of life suited to their values and career aspirations over the long term. MSF offers a vast array of long term career options with increasing responsibility, scope, and complexity over time and the opportunity to have an impact on the strategic direction of the organization at the management level.

Professional Development

MSF is committed to the ongoing professional development of its field workers. It provides them with access to various types of training that build the skills and knowledge required to be effective in the field. This ensures that MSF as an organization can respond to the most urgent and critical needs of the people it helps around the globe, people who often require scarce and highly specialized types of expertise from medical and support professionals. Training programs can range from language training, to sophisticated medical treatments and protocols, to management and leadership best practices, and a host of other possibilities relevant to the professional background and career aspirations of each individual.

Terms of Employment

MSF salaries are set so as to reflect the humanitarian spirit of volunteerism while recognizing the high level of professional expertise provided by field staff. Starting gross monthly salary is $1,913, with subsequent increases based on expertise and experience. Americans working in the field with MSF receive a US letter agreement in which all required taxes and contributions are deducted.

Additional Benefits

Student Loan Forgiveness Program Employment with MSF is considered Public Service and therefore qualifies for student loan forgivenesseligibility via the US Government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). For more information click here

Primary Costs Covered

Pre-departure/ induction training in New York

Reimbursement of mission-specific vaccinations

Required visas and work permits

Round-trip transportation to the field

Accommodation in the field

Daily per diem in local currency while in the field

Accommodation and transportation in New York City and Europe for briefings and debriefings